Det. John Falcone's smile, compassion recalled by chief

Feb. 24, 2011

Ronald Knapp

Editor's note: City of Poughkeepsie police Chief Ronald Knapp gave a eulogy for Detective John Falcone on Thursday at St. James the Apostle Church in Carmel, Putnam County. Below is the the text of his speech.

Most days when I strolled the corridors of the police department, I crossed paths with John.

He was always that officer that was there doing his job. His uniform was crisp, his hair perfectly cut and in place, and of course that smile that he always had when he greeted you. John was the officer who touched everyone he encountered with his compassion. He wanted to make sure his fellow officers were recognized by chairing the awards committee to make sure the job got done.

He worked off duty at the Rip Van Winkle high rise as their security and greeted each resident as if they were his own neighbor.

John was the cop I would call into my office if an investigation needed that "special touch," someone who had the patience and the concern to address the issue at hand. He always entered my office with that same gentle knock and his soft-spoken request to enter.

Even on his last day, one of his final calls was to assist a 92-year-old man who was disoriented and thought his home was burglarized. John went to the man's house and comforted him. He used his personal cell phone to contact the man's family and then remained with him until the family arrived. We didn't know this had occurred until after John's death, when the family contacted the local media to make sure that everyone in the community knew about this extraordinary act of kindness.

As I strolled the halls of headquarters today, I was not greeted by his smile. I now realize that the proper way to honor him is to carry his spirit forward. Every member of this department, sworn or civilian, now has the responsibility to do their job with his patience, his compassion and his love for the community.

As his chief, it is my responsibility to make sure we never forget that mission as we return to our duties tomorrow. Although John was not with us at headquarters today, he will be in those halls tomorrow, and it is now time for my final order to him.